The CW has officially ordered a pilot based on the graphic novel iZombie. Also, it's been revealed that the channel has ordered pilots of The Flash (the Arrow quasi spinoff) and something called Supernatural: Tribes (not a Supernatural reality show ... I hope.)

January 29, 2014

OK, yes, 2014 is nearly 1/12th (give or take) over and I'm just now getting around to sharing with you all my One Little Word (OLW) for the year. In my defense, choosing one word to try and live by for an entire year is hard. It has to be both meaningful and achievable, you know?

In 2013, my OLW was create. I wanted to try for a more creative life, be it through DIY projects, this blog, becoming healthier, etc. I'm not sure I lived the word to its fullest, as I barely did any crafting at all last year (sad), but I was much more creative in an online capacity (thanks to FYA).

Why joy? At the end of last year, I found myself getting overwhelmed with all that was going on in my life. The sheer amount of things I was trying to fit into a week was getting ridiculous, and everything became less fun because of the stress of trying to do it all. I need to find better balance in the various things I do, but I also need to find (or rediscover) the parts of said things—or new things—that make me happy. The parts and things that bring me joy.

I was initially inspired to choose joy thanks to my lovely sister-in-law, who wanted to buy me a special bookmark. I chose the one below because I liked the way it looked. (I'm still not over the whole chalk lettering fad.) Little did I know that it was the start of inspiration for an entire year.

Additionally, in 2014 I want to strive to bring joy to others, because really, what fun is there in being happy without people to share it with?

I currently have no solid plans on how to live a more joyful life this year, but that in itself is perhaps a start—a little less grasping for control never hurt anyone, right? (Right?)

January 27, 2014

According to Goodreads, in 2012, I only read 16 books. I think it was more like 20—25, but it's close to being accurate. In 2013, however, the combination of keeping better track of what I read and reviewing nearly a book a week from May through December for Forever Young Adult led to a large jump in the number. According to Goodreads, in 2013 I read ... 69 books (including a few short stories).

What a difference! I don't know that I would have read quite as many had I not gotten involved with FYA, but I would have read at least 30 (for my 30 before 30 list). My favorites of the year were:

January 23, 2014

Hello, friends! This'll be a somewhat light issue of Nerd News, but seeing as the last one was pretty huge, I think it'll even out. As always, if I've missed something, let me know in the comments or email me!

Oh, and there is no gaming news this week due to TGG being on vacation! But I'm sure he'll be back next issue with plenty of exciting links.

January 21, 2014

In honor of Sherlock's series three premiere this past Sunday evening—wasn't it wonderful?—I thought I'd curate a collection of some of the Web's finest Sherlock-inspired fan-made merchandise. (Many of you have likely already seen the entire series, thanks to the wonders of the Internet, but I've only just begun. So no spoilers in the comments, please!)

January 20, 2014

Over the holidays, we saw three movies in the theater. I really loved one, enjoyed another and was kind of meh about the third. Read on to find out which movie falls into which category.

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (***1/2)

Yay for more Martin
Tauriel is a bad-ass
Sing me to sleep, Smaug

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD. Although I really like Lord of the Rings, I was disappointed with The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The odd juxtaposition of children's story with grandiose adventure (à laLotR) didn't quite mesh well with me. (You can read my Haiku Revieu of the movie here.) Therefore, I wasn't expecting much from The Hobbit: DOS.

The movie follows Bilbo, Gandalf and the dwarves as they make their way closer to the Lonely Mountain. Along the way, they travel through wood elf territory, where they have a bit of a run-in with Party King Thranduil, his son, Legolas, and lady-elf Tauriel (a brand-new character Peter Jackson created to include more women in the movie). Once the group escapes the elves, they eventually reach the mountain, and find their way into the dwarves' old halls. There, they come face-to-face with Smaug, the dragon that kicked them out in the first place.

This second movie had a very similar feel to the first. Parts of it were all action, and others a bit tedious. I enjoy Martin Freeman as Bilbo, and it was fun to see Orlando Bloom in the role of Legolas again, even though he's aged and his caked-on makeup didn't do him any favors. Benedict Cumberbatch did a great as the voice of Smaug. My favorite part of the movie, however, was actually Tauriel. Evangeline Lilly did a great job at bringing to life a character that hadn't previously existed. And I'm all for more strong lady characters in movies.

I'll definitely see The Hobbit: There and Back Again when it opens later this year, but if the first two movies are any indication, I'm not expecting it to blow me away.

+ + +

Frozen (****)

Anna is awesome
Elsa can control the snow
Sisters 'till the end*

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD. We went to see Frozen for our niece's fifth birthday; we probably wouldn't have seen it if it weren't for her, so I'm grateful that we have someone in our lives that's of the Disney cartoon demographic. (Could we have gone to see it on our own? Of course, but it wasn't high up on our list of must-sees.)

Frozen is the latest in Disney's "princess" cartoons. This one focuses on two sisters—Anna, who's a total free spirit, and Elsa, who's "afflicted" with the ability to control the winter. After a childhood accident threatens Anna's life, their parents shut Elsa away, "for her own good." When the girls' parents die, Elsa, being the oldest, is to take the throne as queen ... but the stress of the coronation and all that it entails cause Elsa's powers to burst free, and she runs to the hills to escape. Anna, of course, chases after her.

Although there is a love story at the heart of the film, it's not one that you'd expect, if you know what typically happens in films like these. There are charming men who cross paths with the sisters, but even they aren't your typical Disney men. I really enjoyed the twist on the norm. And I love Anna. She's cheerful and honest and strong—more like a "normal" person than any of the other princesses, I feel.

Additionally, although most Disney princess films have a lot of musical moments, Frozen is more of a musical musical, if that makes any sense? (It seemed more theatrical, if that helps any.) The songs are super catchy—we had "Do You Want to Build a Snowman?" and "In Summer" stuck in our heads for days afterward—and Jonathan Groff (Kristoff) and Idina Menzel (Elsa) were fantastic. Kristen Bell (Anna) and Josh Gad (Olaf) were total surprises, but the two held their own when stacked against the Broadway stars just fine.

I definitely see good things in the future of Disney's princess movies if this one is any indication.

*Alternate last line: Guys can be d-bags.

+ + +

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (****1/2)

Walter likes to dream
But does not know how to live
Until that big leap

POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD. As evidenced by my rating above, this was definitely my favorite movie of the three we saw over the holidays. But I have a soft spot for quirky movies starring comedians acting against the norm (e.g., Stranger Than Fiction).

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty tells the story of Walter, a quiet nondescript guy who works in the negatives department at Life magazine. He's got a huge crush on a coworker, Cheryl, and is also a daydreamer; Walter often finds himself "zoning out" and experiencing adventures in his own mind. He arrives at work one day to find that Life is being turned into an online-only magazine, and the negative of the last cover photo has gone missing. In order to find it, Walter must go on an actual adventure. (The movie is based on the short story by James Thurber; another movie version was released in 1947.)

Overall, this movie is just ... lovely. Ben Stiller both starred in and directed the film, and I really like his character and the way the movie was shot. It's a story about finding out who you are and living life without always worrying about the consequences of making decisions that might seem too scary. It's got a great message. It's also got a weirdly funny scene or two mixed in, so it's not completely unfamiliar Ben Stiller territory. (My favorite: "Just nestle in here ...") The movie has a fantastic soundtrack that really adds to the plot, too.

The combination of all of the above makes this a movie I'd definitely recommend to everyone.

+ + +

What about you, friends? Did you see any movies over the holidays? If so, anything you'd recommend?

January 18, 2014

It’s finally heeeeeeeere! The first Nerd News of 2014. (Volume 5, guys! That’s crazy.) Some of this news is pretty old, but you might have missed it during the shuffle of the holidays. Let’s jump right in.

Moffat also says—grain of salt—that he and Mark Gatiss have also supposedly planned out Sherlockthrough a fifth series. And don't forget, US peeps (who haven't snuck a watch already): Sherlock series 3 starts Sunday!

The CW has, however, picked up a Labyrinth—no, not that Labyrinth—mini series, which "follows the life of modern day archeologist Alice Tanner as she searches for the Holy Grail, and the life of 13th century Alaïs as she strives to keep it hidden."

January 16, 2014

So ... it's taking me a little longer than I expected to cull through and organize three-plus weeks of pop culture news. I will try to get everything ready for tomorrow, but I might have to bump it another day to Saturday. I hope you can hold on for another few days!

January 15, 2014

While killing time in a Rite Aid in Fallbrook, Calif. (the second leg of our holiday trip/where my dad lives), I happened across one lonely package of a set of nail stickers I absolutely couldn't pass up. Y'all know that I love all things space, and I've slowly been amassing a collection of space image-printed things. I also have a fondness for funky nails, so these stickers checked multiple "this is a good thing" boxes.

(Sorry for the terrible photo, I, of course, didn't think to take a photo of my package prior to using some of the strips.)

I've never used this brand of sticker before, but I'm super pleased with the wear so far. I put them on Monday morning and they've only worn a little bit and there's no peeling up of the sides as far as I can see. The box says they should last up to a week, so check back with me next Monday if you're curious as to how they've held up.

I haven't had much luck finding where to buy them online, other than this two-pack deal I found at Amazon. If you'd like to do your own search, the style is called "Peignoir," which I don't really get, since, according to Messrs. Merriam and Webster, peignoir means "a woman's loose negligee or dressing gown." I would have gone with something a little more spacey like Galaxy or Universe, but that's just me.

+ + +

I totally forgot last time I posted an obsessed. that I'd told Colt I would include something for him, too. But now's a good of a time as any, since this show won two Golden Globes over the weekend—one for Best TV Series, Musical or Comedy and the other for Best Actor in a TV Series, Musical or Comedy (Andy Samberg).

For those of you unfamiliar with the show, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is a half-hour comedy on Fox that follows the antics of a bunch of misfit police officers and their straight-laced captain. It's silly and sometimes stupid—very Andy Samberg—but pretty much always hilarious.

Brooklyn Nine-Nine is one of the funniest shows we've watched in a long time. If you're not watching it, you definitely should be.

January 14, 2014

With the start of every new year comes a time to reflect on the previous one. Sure, I'm a little late in the game, it being the second week of January and all, but I don't think it should ever be too late to think about all that's happened in the past.

This holiday has been unusual—great, of course, as it was filled with fun, family and friends—but unusual. I was away from home for three weeks and felt more than a little disconnected from "real life." I tried to start this post multiple times, but it never felt quite right.

I have a wonderful life, friends, and although there were a few issues that came up in 2013 that I might have avoided had I been warned that they were going to occur—thanks a lot, Hindisght ... ya bastard—the fact is that issues, and the learning that comes with them, make me a better person. (Yes, that is most definitely an "adult" thing to say. You think this whole 30 thing is rubbing off on me? Nah ...)

But overall, 2013 was a fabulous year. Therefore, here is my main reflection: